NPB Fan Resume: An English translation

It appears fans of NPB can fill out a card to show your fandom of the league and teams. I'll translate myself and fill out some more detailed answers if necessary starting from the top and going left to right, though that's a difference of right to left in some cultures.

Top line: Name, Gender and Photo/ID

I put my name down as well as the Twitter handle. Hopefully you can recognize 男 vs 女 for male vs female. It's very key on a few places when visiting Japan and some signs are not blue/pink when differentiating.  My family name gets to be in kanji with 甄 rather than the usual katakana for almost anyone in the western world.  On the far right, it asks for an icon or picture, so I inserted what you see above.

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Favorite team: Saitama Seibu Lions

This should be pretty self-explanatory on circling your favorite NPB team. Some may circle their favorite Central and Pacific League squads. Personally when it comes to thee Central, I'll prefer someone not named the Yomiuri Giants. Each team has their own pros and cons, though picking the Hanshin Tigers would be too unlikely given their too popular for myself.

As for why the Lions? The long version is here. A follow up is here. Keep in mind, I have no blood ties to any region or city in Japan, but I also don't like picking a team because they've winning or I found something convenient when watching them in-season. Did research in the offseason so I'd have someone by Opening Day.

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How long have you been a fan? Winter of 2014

Wes Mills, the founder of this blog and occasional contributor as well as myself started wanting to go for an NPB team shortly after the 2014 season ended. Some research and similarity to the Oakland A's made the Lions an easy call.

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Which stadium do you go to most often? 

Technically speaking, I've been to MetLife Dome and Nagoya Dome for the same number of games. Having been born and raised in the Bay Area, the Oakland Coliseum is the most visited Stadium in my lifetime (100+ games).

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How often did you visit the Stadium last year? 

In 2019, I went to MetLife Dome and Nagoya Dome three times each. Technically speaking, I walked by MetLife Dome a fourth time after hiking around Tokorozawa for a day, but didn't attend the game due to other commitments. I'm sure in my lifetime MetLife Dome visits will increase.

Now that I reside outside California, my MLB visits are scarce, as I only saw Minute Maid Park and Glofe Life Park at the Major League level.

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Your favorite players, including retired ones: 

Kazuhisa Inao: Best player in Lions history, #24 only number retired, fittingly one of the best player in Oakland Athletics history (Rickey Henderson) also had that number.

Sosuke Genda: Defense and speed, transformed the infield in a flash.

Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura: Who loves that nickname? I sure do, plus he's got a great swing and look and it connects. Never retire!

Tomoya Mori: Short players can succeed. Mori has a snappy swing who can do a lot of damage. He's also got some fun personality with his walkup song choices.

Hiroki Kuroda: An underrated pitcher in the States, already a legend in Japan. Kuroda had a solid career that even MLB fans will remember him for. Sure, he wasn't a star, but continued to chug along as a decent rotation starter.

Tsutomu Ito: Catchers. Something about liking the brain of a team and someone who endured the entire Golden Era. Safe to say, he had a nice and long career and still won as a manager too.

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Favorite team or player songs: 

Seibu Lions Chance #4.  It's straight to the point, has a guy's and girl's part and is built for when the game is on the line.

\\

Honorable mention unwritten: 

地平を駈ける獅子を見た / Chiheiwo kake ru shishi womita (I saw a Lion running on the Horizon) - Shigeru Matsuzaki.  Prefer the 1980s version, but this is the remixed one added in 2018.  Chorus is always heard after a Lions score.  

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Favorite Mascot character(s):

Tsubakuro: The Yakult Swallows mascot has great personality even though he's a troublemaker. Love his appearance for someone as large as well as always trying to flip a hat on his head. Watch out for pranks! 

Leo: No one is more athletic than Leo given how many flips he's doing and how long it's going. Impressive. 

Lyna: Can't hate the Lions feminine mascot right? 

Kobaton: Saitama prefecture's government mascot has a very simple look, something I can appreciate. Love the movements and simplicity of how dazed he is. It's only a coincidence that it happens to be within Saitama. 

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Favorite Sports other than Baseball: 

Ice Hockey: I'm no Canadian or Russian, but hockey is very entertaining on the ice. Yoshiaki Tsutsumi would be proud how much I love the game. Something about tradition, hitting players hard, skating on the ice and fan intellect just adds up. 

Honorable Mention not written listed: 

College (American) Football: It's the closest thing to an Oendan in the States. Great atmosphere and unpredictable. 

Other than that, NFL was once part of my work. Soccer isn't bad either as I pay attention to Serie A. It's all a coincidence I follow the team Yuto Nagatomo once played for known F.C. Internazionale. 

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Final Remarks: 

There are plenty of NPB fans outside of Japan too! I'm just one of them. Ganbarre Lions! 

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2020 Seibu Lions Camp Outlook: Outfielder

The Saitama Seibu Lions have one obvious change where the centerfield position won't be the same for the first time since 2010. While others have filled in, Shogo Akiyama has departed for the Cincinnati Reds.

As the Lions look to find some future options, they've drafted ahead for this year and braced for Akiyama's eventual exit.

A-camp: 

Takumi Kuriyama: The former Lions captain should still see ichi-gun time, but father time is catching up to him. He saw several games at DH while being a part-time outfielder. It would be best if he's a pinch hitter or fourth outfielder rather than every day starter.

Yuji Kaneko: Manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji already said he will be the starting centerfielder. With domestic free agent rights approaching, the Lions locked him up through the 2023 season as his stolen bases were considered valuable enough to give a decent offer. His range should be fine, but can he remember to hit his own weight or even be a leadoff batter?

Fumikazu Kimura: Kimura took the starting RF position and batted in the bottom third of the order. His arm is decent, but bat is nothing to write home about. He's better off as a spell outfielder or defensive replacement, but he'll likely start in the outfield again to begin the 2020 season.

Cory Spangenberg: The first Lions position player import since 2015 will get an open shot in LF or RF depending on what the team is comfortable with. His versatility to play a corner OF position or 3B and 2B gives the Lions flexibility if they like him elsewhere. If they want to have Takeya Nakamura as a DH, he can easily fill third as long as he hits his own weight. Spangenberg has decent speed on paper, but his hitting against NPB pitching will be a question mark until he's playing ichi-gun games.

Shohei Suzuki: Suzuki was drafted out of high school in 2016 and thought to be the heir to Akiyama as a future leadoff hitter. He was able to make his ichi-gun debut last season mostly coming off the bench. If his bat continues to develop, he could take more playing time besides coming in as a pinch runner.

"Aito" Takeda: Remembered for the winning "hit" walkoff error in 2019, Aito saw more ichi-gun time than ever before, but couldn't earn a starting role. His bat remains a question mark goinf forward where he mostly came off the bench.

Seiji Kawagoe: Kawagoe got an ichi-gun invite after a great winter league experience in Taiwan. Previously drafted as a pitcher in 2015, the Lions have chosen to use him for his fallback option as a position player as he tries to pull a Rick Ankiel. Inspiration couldn't be any closer with teammate Kimura being a former pitcher. Anything short of ichi-gun time could result in being cut.

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B-camp: 

Masato Kumashiro: Kumashiro was the ichi-gun defensive replacement for both the OF and infield if necessary. He enters domestic free agency after this year, but he won't be highly coveted given his status. With many younger bodies on the team, he's on the outside. 

Daisuke Togawa: Togawa earned an ichi-gun callup and did well for two games, including his first career home run being meaningful in a close win over the Chiba Lotte Marines. He hopes to get more games, but the competition is fierce for the former ikusei pick.

Wataru Takagi: Takagi was called up for one game during interleague play and had an at-bat in mop up duty. He's been a decent ni-gun player, but still has time to develop as he was also a former ikusei.

Junichiro Kishi: A former pitcher, Kishi was the 8th round draft pick last fall and hopes to get ichi-gun time as a pinch runner. He's athletic, but his bat is likely an offensive hole.

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Outlook:

Spangenberg can make or break this unit now that Akiyama is gone. If a younger Lions outfielder steps it up in 2020, they will be in decent shape. They're not going to match Akiyama's production of hitting for average and getting on base, but it could still be respectable. The door is open for someone to claim an opportunity.

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Other positions:

Pitcher

Infielder

Catcher

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2020 Seibu Lions Camp Outlook: Catcher

The catcher position remained important for the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2019, with Tomoya Mori winning the batting championship and Pacific League MVP award. While it's clear cut who is starting, the depth options are still open.

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A-camp

Tomoya Mori: Coming of a true breakout season, Mori had no trouble batting third in the lineup and finally crossed the 20 HR benchmark. Barring no injury, he will be the everyday starter once again.

Hitoto Komazuki: Komazuki was the emergency third catcher at the ichi-gun level, but only saw a handful of in-game action. His bat will need to improve if he wants more playing time.

Masato Saito: Saito was promoted from the ikusei roster in the middle of 2019. He was also an emergency catcher when called up to the ichi-gun for a handful of games, but didn't play. Saito lacks the ability to hit, but is a healthy body looking to make his ichi-gun debut for 2020.

Sena Tsuge: Tsuge is a shakaijin catcher who was drafted last fall by the Lions. It's very possible he takes an opening day roster spot as the third catcher if he can hit. Scouting reports show he has a decent pop speed.

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B-camp

Masatoshi Okada: Okada begins in ni-gu camp. but is likely the backup catcher after Mori. When healthy, he's serviceable when spelling for a few games and also serves as a pinch bunting option.

Shoya Makino: Makino was a high school draft pick from 2018 who saw time developing last year. There's a longshot chance he makes his ichi-gun debut in 2020 and will probably stay in ni-gun.

Daichi Nakaguma: Nakaguma is the only ikusei catcher remaining with the hope of wanting to earn a 70-man roster spot. After seeing limited ni-gun time in 2019, he will want to play in more games besides get the promotion.

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Outlook:

Mori and Okada will be the first two options at catcher while Komazuki and Tsuge battle for the third spot. It wouldn't hurt if someone can develop their hitting abilities and become a pinch hitter like Tatsuyuki Uemoto was, but that's an unfair amount of expectations.

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Other positions:

Pitcher

Infielder

Outfielder

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2020 Seibu Lions camp outlook: Infielder

The Saitama Seibu Lions infield is mostly set, but there are some fresh faces joining the mix for 2020. Here is what lies ahead with camp beginning:

A-Camp:

Hotaka Yamakawa: Coming off another season of 40+ home runs, his batting average dipped in the second half leading to a demotion in the lineup. He'll need to hit for average if he wants to be batting cleanup again.

Sosuke Genda: Genda's streak of consecutive games was snapped in 2019, but he still proved to be durable with a minor injury. While his hitting production isn't flashy, it is consistent and enough for an SS to hit his own weight.

Shuta Tonosaki: Tonosaki held off his competition and was the starting 2B for the whole year. Being healthy all season had him cross the 20 HR plateau where he should be a mainstay for 2020.

Ryusei Sato: Sato was the only rookie from the 2018 draft class to make the opening day ichi-gun roster and had the most days on top among the group. He was a solid defensive replacement for Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura at 3B and could be a spell 3B or can fill another position if needed.

Kakeru Yamanobe: Yamanobe came off a disappointing rookie season with only a handful of ichi-gun appearances because his bat was ineffective. He's hoping to crack more ichi-gun games in 2020 with better hitting and more consistent defense. At worst, he can be a replacement player or pinch runner.

Ernesto Mejia: Mejia returns on a low budget contract as the Lions gave him another year. Mejia's bench role will likely continue as a pinch hitter and part-time DH with no chance at starting 1B.

Yuto Morikoshi: The Lions picked up Morikoshi after he was a senryokugai from the Hanshin Tigers. Hatsuhiko Tsuji and Morikoshi were together on the Chunichi Dragons prior to the latter's stint in Kansai. He could be a top replacement player with his versatility on the infield, but shouldn't be an everyday starter.

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B-camp:

Okawari-kun: Nakamura will start camp rehabbing an injury, but the Lions won't need to evaluate his form for the time being. He could see more games at DH given his age instead of 3B.

Daichi Mizuguchi: Mizuguchi is on the outside after being a pinch runner and part-time player in the past. At age 31, he could be a senyrokugai candidate if he can't play ichi-gun games.

Kyohei Nagae: Nagae is remembered for his defense, but inability to hit prevents him from more ichi-gun games. If others pass him on the depth chart, it could be a long season for him in ni-gun.

Nien Ting Wu: Wu saw time as a rookie in 2016, but hasn't played an ichi-gun game since 2018. He turns 27 this year and the upside is likely gone. Wu is mostly a depth option as he spent time in ni-gun as an outfielder, but he's also in danger of being a senryokugai.

Manaya Nishikawa: Nishikawa continues to develop in ni-gun being a second-round high school pick in 2017. He could try to reach the ichi-gun for the first time in 2020.

Haruka Yamada: Yamada looked to be a future infield candidate, but he's now on the outside with Sato leaping him on the depth chart. Yamada is in danger of being senryokugai if he can't reach the ichi-gun in 2020.

Ryota Kawano: The new Lions infielder was a draft pick out of high school. He'll get plenty of opportunities at the farm level to develop.

Ryusei Tsunashima: Tsunashima was also a high school draft pick like Nishikawa in his year. He's still a long term project, but time isn't running out yet.

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Outlook: 

The starting players are all but locked in barring no injuries. The question is who becomes the player to take over 3B regularly when Okawari-kun can't? On paper, Sato could be the projected guy. Depth should be alright, but the farm level has uncertainty with several unproven players.

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Other positions:

Pitcher

Catcher

Outfielder

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2020 Seibu Lions camp outlook: Pitcher

The Saitama Seibu Lions camp will begin on February 1. The most open position in all areas will belong to the pitchers. Here's a look at each pitcher with the expectations or possibilities ahead:

A-camp

Tatsuya Imai: The 2016 Koshien champion and first round draft pick got a full workload with 135.1 IP in 2019. Inconsistent, the Lions are hoping he can make the next step to being a possible ace. He's shown flashes at times and even threw a shutout last year.

Kona Takahashi: The Lions 2014 first round pick had the most innings pitched since 2016, but it's unlikely he'll live up to the hype as an ace. Having a 10-win season in 2019, an injury ended his season earlier than usual. Should be a rotation regular.

Tatsushi Masuda: This becomes a critical year for Masuda with 2020 as a contract year. He turned down the Lions multi-year offer to make himself a domestic free agent after this season. Masuda should be the closer on opening day, though he also had a rough 2018.

Daisuke Matsuzaka: The longtime legend and veteran returns home for one final run. This should be a similar season to when Kimiyasu Kudo ended his playing career in 2010. Could be a spot starter or even pinch hitter if he's in good condition.

Katsunori Hirai: Hirai was the most overworked pitcher setting a Pacific League record in relief innings and games appeared. He wore down as the season ended, but should be the setup man entering 2020. An argument can be made he was the glue and pitching MVP of 2019.

Tetsu Miyagawa: The first round pick of 2019 already has expectations to be at the ichi-gun immediately given he's a shakaijin. Miyagawa has experience in the bullpen and as a starter, so the Lions can use that flexibility to their advantage. Personally think he'll begin 2020 in relief given the thin depth.

Wataru Matsumoto: Matsumoto had a decent rookie year given all things considered. The 2020 season will be a year of wanting progress in making the next step. He still has plenty of upside and potential to be an ace.

Hiromasa Saito: The 2017 first round draft pick has been a disappointment, only appearing as a spot starter or eating a few relief innings. If nothing happens in 2020, he'll have the trajectory of being a bust. It would be best if he can earn his way into the bullpen.

Ryuya Ogawa: A situational left-handed pitcher, Ogawa was effective with inherited runners, though it made his ERA look deceiving. Should see plenty of time in the bullpen.

Ryosuke Moriwaki: Moriwaki earned some ichi-gun games in the first half of 2019, but his control faded and is most remembered for hitting batters, starting a fight with Orix as a result. He'll compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Shota Hamaya: Hamaya is one of three rookies in A-camp and it appears the ichi-gun staff wants to get a closer look at the Lions second-round draft pick. If everything goes right, his left-handed pitching could be a part of the bullpen.

Zach Neal: Neal returns and signed a two-year contract before he left Japan last fall. He carried the rotation in the second half en route to the Lions winning their second straight Pacific League pennant. While it's unlikely he has an undefeated season like his stretch from June, he will be the team's opening day starter.

Kaito Awatsu: Awatsu earned a mop up duty ichi-gun appearance during interleague play last year as a rookie. Modeling his pitching style after Tetsuya Shiozaki, he hopes to earn a bullpen role somewhere.

Sho Ito: Ito saw almost no ichi-gun time in 2019 after a decent 2018. He could be a spot starter or reliever depending on what the team wants.

Kaito Yoza: Yoza is the biggest mystery of the Lions pitchers. A submariner drafted in 2017, an injury has sidelined majority of his NPB career and he spent 2019 under an ikusei contract. Yoza played his first game in ni-gun late last year on the road to recovery. With this invite, he could be part of the bullpen.

Reed Garrett: Garrett was the final import signing by the Lions in the offseason and he'll have to compete for a bullpen role. Not only will he have to worry about relievers, but also Sean Nolin or Cory Spangenberg because of the foreigner rule. He was once a Rule 5 draft pick of the Detroit Tigers before he returned to the Texas Rangers later in the season.

Keisuke Honda: Honda had a decent 2019 as a back end starter. He'll need to do more if he wants to keep his spot in the rotation.

Sean Nolin: Nolin bounced around multiple minor league organizations and indy ball in the last two years coming off Tommy John surgery and hasn't appeared in MLB since 2015. He could be a starter or reliever depending on what the team wants, but it's likely they'll have him start give he's a lefty.

Tsubasa Kokuba: Kokuba ended 2019 at the ichi-gun and got a share of meaningful innings in middle relief. It's possible he could use that momentum towards 2020 in the bullpen.

Makoto Aiuchi: Aiuchi nearly had his first career win if it weren't for the relief pitching giving up some runs. He enters 2020 on the outside seeking a spot starter role. Could be in danger of being cut after the year if he can't crack the ichi-gun.

Kaima Taira: Taira had a decent second-half as a reliever for the Lions when Hirai was feeling fatigue. He's one of the hardest throwers on the team and hopes to expand his role at the ichi-gun level in the bullpen. In the long term, he could be a closer after Masuda leaves.

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B-camp

Ken Togame: Togame didn't walk in free agency and took the Lions offer to stay around for three more years through the 2022 season. Coming off a mediocre 2019, he bucked his trend of having a good year followed by a bad year and vice versa. He should be part of the opening day rotation.

Yutaro Watanabe: A high school draft pick in 2018, Watanabe still has time to grow, but would love to earn a snippet at the ichi-gun with good pitching.

Shogo Noda: Noda saw his workload decrease in 2019 for what was a down year. He starts 2020 on the outside, but should be a reliever seeing ichi-gun time as depth as the Lions still need left-handed bullpen pitchers.

Tetsuya Utsumi: Utsumi is one of the most accomplished Lions pitchers based on resume, but he failed to play an ichi-gun game in 2019 due to injuries and setbacks. He'll be starting 2020 rehabbing and hopes to be a starter when healthy. So far, this compensatory selection hasn't worked out.

Daiki Enokida: Enokida couldn't repeat his 2018 success last year, but he could be a useful spot starter in a pinch. He's looking to be a regular in the Lions rotation.

Yasuo Sano: Sano took a lot of innings last year when the Lions were trailing or in mop up duty. He could a spot starter if necessary.

Ichiro Tamura: Tamura has seen minimal ichi-gun time in the last two years while mostly in mop up duty. This could be a make or break season for him as a repeat year may result in being cut (senryokugai) after it.

Hiroki Inoue: The Lions sixth-round draft pick will spend 2020 developing for the long term. Drafted out of high school, Inoue has the raw tools to be a starting pitcher, but it will take time.

Shunta Nakatsuka: Nakatsuka has been a disappointment, playing a combined three ichi-gun games over the last three years with zero in 2019. A hard thrower, Nakatsuka lacks control to take his game to the next level. He's in danger of being cut after the season if things don't improve.

Towa Uema: Uema was the Lions 7th round draft pick out of Indy ball, only one year removed from high school. The Lions like his fastball and feel he can be an intriguing long term project.

Koki Fujita: Fujita has been on the outside ever since he joined the Lions in 2015. Sidelined by an injury to begin his career, he has stayed in ni-gun the entire time. Time could be running out if he doesn't make an impact in 2020.

Koki Matsuoka: Like the other rookies in the class, Matsuoka has hope for the future being a 19-year old out of Indy ball. Earning a brief ichi-gun stint would be a victory.

Shota Takekuma: Once a bullpen regular, Takekuma has come off two bad seasons in a row where he only had use as a spot starter. If things don't get better, he's on pace for a seryokugai at the end of the year.

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Ikusei:

Toshihiro Idei: The Lions ikusei draft pick from last fall will hope to make an impression on the staff, eventually wanting to earn a 70-man roster spot.

Tomomi Takahashi: Takahashi was once an all-star and former closer, but is currently in his second year under an ikusei contract looking to regain his form. He hasn't pitched well since parts of 2015. 

Jiyu Okubo: The tall and lanky pitcher saw only two ni-gun games from 2019 and needs more time to develop. The 2020 season should be a similar year for his growth.

Aoi Tono: Tono appeared in eight ni-gun games for 2019. Unlike Okubo, he's out of college and has less time on his side to do something.

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Outside:

Shinsaburo Tawata: The 2019 Opening Day starter isn't in proper condition. With his inability to throw and injury taking a toll, the Lions did not reach a contractual agreement during the normal negotiations period. He's currently under club control, but now in a waiting game for his health to return to normal.

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Overall:

The Lions are far from loaded when it comes to pitchers, but there is potential for some of these guys to get better. They drafted plenty of options in recent years. It will be a matter of who can rise up and help fill the voids and lack of an ace that this team hasn't truly had since Yusei Kikuchi.

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Other positions:

Infielder

Catcher

Outfielder

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Lions want to start a Leolution for 2020

The Saitama Seibu Lions announced earlier this week their new slogan for 2020: Leolution. In a very direct point, this new line represents the 70th anniversary in franchise history.

This is the first time in the Hatsuhiko Tsuji era where the Lions do not use "Catch" in their slogan with Catch the All, Catch the Flag and Catch the Glory happening from 2017-2019.

Tsuji is hoping for a change in pitching, where the team ERA was the highest in NPB, though the offense was also at the top of the league. "Leo" is the name of the primary Lions mascot while Lina is the female one. Of course when pronouncing Leo in Japanese, it can be spelled as れお with an "Reo" sound to it, making the Leolution title fit. The "L" and "R" sounds are merged, using the front of your tongue when saying it, rather than the back when traditionally saying "R" in English.

In 1950, the Nishitetsu Clippers and the NPB we know today were formed. After one season, the Clippers were merged with the Nishi-Nippon Pirates to form the Nishitetsu Lions, making 2020 the 70th season with Lions as the mascot.

With some glory years in Fukuoka, the Black Mist scandal took place in the 1960s, which crippled the team where it took years to recover from. Eventually, the team had no identity in the 1970s with the name changes to Taiheyo Club Lions and Crown Lighter Lions until Seibu took the team and moved them to present-day Tokorozawa in 1979.

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Three Lions rookies to participate in A-camp

The Saitama Seibu Lions training camp begins on February 1, where all positions and coach will report on the same day. There are two camps to take place, with A-camp being for mostly ichi-gun players and B-camp for ni-gun.

Here are the full lists for both camps:

* Indicates rookie

# Indicates new import

A-Camp (Nichinan, Miyazaki): February 1-19

Rest days will be on 2/5, 2/10 and 2/15.

Pitchers (21): Tatsuya Imai, Kona Takahashi, Tatsushi Masuda, Tetsu Miyagawa*, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Wataru Matsumoto, Hiromasa Saito, Shota Hayama*, Katsunori Hirai, Kaito Awatsu, Ryosuke Moriwaki, Ryuya Ogawa, Reed Garrett#, Sho Ito, Kaito Yoza, Keisuke Honda, Sean Nolin#, Zach Neal, Tsubasa Kokuba, Makoto Aiuchi, Kaima Taira

Infielders (7): Hotaka Yamakawa, Kakeru Yamanobe, Shuta Tonosaki, Sosuke Genda, Ryusei Sato, Yuto Morikoshi, Ernesto Mejia

Outfielders (7): Takumi Kuriyama, Yuji Kaneko, Fumikazu Kimura, Cory Spangenberg#, Shohei Suzuki, "Aito" Takeda, Seiji Kawagoe

Catchers: (4): Tomoya Mori, Hitoto Komazuki, Masato Saito, Sena Tsuge*

When ichi-gun camp ends on 2/19, all players will be sent to B-camp to conclude spring training.

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B-Camp (Haruno, Kochi): February 1 - March 8

Rest days will be 2/5, 2/10, 2/15, 2/20, 2/25, 3/1, 3/6

The team will occupy a Tennis facility from  2/21-2/23

Pitchers (17): Ken Togame, Yutaro Watanabe, Shogo Noda, Tetsuya Utsumi, Daiki Enokida, Yasuo Sano, Ichiro Tamura, Hiroki Inoue*, Koki Matsuoka*, Shota Takekuma, Shunta Nakatsuka, Towa Uema*, Koki Fujita, Toshihiro Idei*, Tomomi Takahashi, Aoi Tono, Jiyu Okubo

Catchers (3): Shoya Makino, Masatoshi Okada, Daichi Nakaguma

Infielders (8): Daichi Mizuguchi, Kyohei Nagae, Nien Ting Wu, Manaya Nishikawa, Haruka Yamada, Ryota Kawano*, Takeya Nakamura, Ryusei Tsunashima

Outfielders (4): Masato Kumashiro, Daisuke Togawa, Junichiro Kishi*, Wataru Takagi

Utsumi and Nakamura are both rehabbing injuries. 

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Most of these lists are chalk, but there are a few surprises that are worth mentioning besides the rookies. A few B-camp players listed (Togame and Okada) likely don't need an evaluation and it gives Hatsuhiko Tsuji as well as the rest of the ichi-gun staff a closer look at a few individuals. Here's the few that stand out:

Kawagoe: A converted pitcher, this could be his last chance at relevance given he has yet to play an ichi-gun game. This is his second year at being an outfielder.

Tsuge: This decision among the rookies is more interesting given he was a shakaijin when drafted. You have to wonder if he can shoot up the depth chart in a short span given this opportunity. He could bump out Komazuki if he can hit.

Morikoshi: The recent domestic free agent signing from the Hanshin Tigers will be reunited with Tsuji, who was once his coach with the Chunichi Dragons. An A-camp emphasis tells that they have a plan for him, likely on the bench. Don't be surprised if he's a defensive substitute in late game situations.

Yoza: Coming off an injury and rehabbing, Yoza couldn't participate in a single game for his rookie year of 2018. He was under an ikusei contract for the entire 2019 season and made his first appearance in ni-gun late in the year. A submarine pitcher, Yoza is the most unique of the bunch and could try to find a bullpen role if he impresses the staff.

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